Global event on 3 March

Music Freedom Day 2017 in celebration and protection of WOMEN’S VOICES

Did you know that
Women are banned from singing in public in some countries
Women cannot attend a concert in some places
The music industry is still unequal

⇒ This is why Freemuse is focusing on women on Music Freedom Day on 3 March 2017

In Saudi Arabia and Iran women performers are not allowed to sing solo or play instruments in public. In north-western Pakistan women singers have been killed and attacked, and in several countries women performers are socially, culturally and economically marginalised and even considered prostitutes.

Globally women musicians face especially difficult conditions and are often subject to industry discrimination, sexual objectification and significantly less bookings than male musicians.

On 3 March 2017 Music Freedom Day makes a special focus on women performers and musicians.

Initiated by Freemuse, Music Freedom Day events are organised by local artists, event organisers, broadcasters, journalists and activists. They will highlight the role of women in music – either by creating events focused on women in music, showing solidarity with censored women artists or by creating programmes consisting mostly of female performers.

Freemuse recently presented the Freemuse Award to Zohra, the first ever women’s orchestra in Afghanistan. In a video statement concertmaster Marjan Fidaee said: “I support Music Freedom Day because I love music, and I want to open the door for other girls to play music.”

Ole Reitov, Freemuse Executive Director, added: “Zohra has inspired so many young women in Afghanistan and proved that women can fight back against discrimination and negative preconceptions.”

In 2016, Freemuse registered 1,028 attacks on artists and violations of their rights across 78 countries, continuing a worrying trend of artistic freedom increasingly coming under threat. Music was the art form that suffered the most serious violations of artistic freedom in 2016.

Music Freedom Day events will take place in Senegal, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, UAE, USA, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Spain and more.